News from Castle Bromwich Youth Parish Council

News from the Youth Council

Picnic in the Park - 4th June 2012 - Diamond Jubilee

Youth Cllr Natasha Browne, Chairman of the Youth Council, was delighted to welcome local families and children to the Diamond Jubilee Picnic in the Park and proudly passed on Her Majesty the Queen's best wishes for a most memorable and enjoyable event.Congratulations had been sent to the Queen by the Parish Council and Youth Council Chairmen saying her lifelong service and dedication to the nation was an inspiration to all, including the younger generation.

We were very fortunate with the weather and the event was well attended with all programmes being sold. Children had the opportunity to take part in the fancy dress competition, to make their own crowns and then decorate a gingerbread man. The Youth Council both arranged and project managed the event and it was gratifying to have the support for this important occasion from the local and wider community. The Youth Council stall raised a magnificent £158 which will be shared between Acorns Hospice and the Birmingham Children's Hospital.

Castle Bromwich Youth Council offer their very grateful thanks to:-
- Chris Beebee for compering the event and providing music;
- Castle Bromwich Lions for providing car park marshals;
- The 3 judges of the fancy dress competition and all entrants;
- Local schools for supporting the poster competition and supervising craft activities on the day;
- West Midlands Fire Service for providing a fire engine and crew;
- St John Ambulance for providing first aid cover;
- Tamworth Snowdome, Hatton Country World, Ash End House Farm, Star City and Cadbury World for providing raffle prizes;
- Dame Mary Bridgeman Trust/the Parish Council for financial support;
- and Local organisations and businesses who ran stalls at the event.

PICNIC IN THE PARK - POSTER COMPETITION

Competition Winners
The Youth Council wish to send their congratulations to Roxanne Burke and Jessica Woodward, from St. Mary and St. Margaret's Primary School, who are the winners of the Poster Competition for the Diamond Jubilee 'Picnic In the Park'. This event is taking place on Monday 4th June between 12 noon and 4 pm in the Playing Fields behind Arden Hall on Water Orton Road.

Cathy Tibbles, Clerk to the Youth Council, says "The standard of entries was very high from both Castle Bromwich Infant School and St. Mary & St. Margaret's Primary School. It was an extremely hard task for the judges to choose the winning posters that will now be used to promote the event with advertising locally".

Admission to this family event will be by Programmes purchased in advance from the Youth Council at specific times at Arden Hall. Cost is £1 for children aged 2-12, who must be accompanied (conditions apply).

REMEMBRANCE PARADE & SERVICE

Approximately 800 people attended the annual open-air Service of Remembrance held on Sunday 13th November at the Village Green in Castle Bromwich. The service at the War Memorial was led this year by Rev. Gavin Douglas, Rector at St. Mary & St Margaret Church. Councillor Mark Hayes, Chairman of the Parish Council, laid the wreath on behalf of Councillors, Officers and Staff of the Parish Council. Youth Councillor Natasha Browne laid a cross on behalf of all Youth Councillors. Wreaths were also laid by official representatives of the Royal British Legion, with local organisations and members of the general public placing personal tributes and poppy crosses.
The March and official Salute saw an estimated 160 participants, with a growing number of young people taking part. Everyone attending was invited to return to Arden Hall for refreshments. Cathy Tibbles, Clerk to the Council, thanks all of the voluntary helpers without whose assistance the Council would find it much harder to manage the event.
The reliable group of helpers, who give their time so generously on the day and with planning beforehand, would always welcome more support on the day to cope with the growing public attendance. A new appeal for safety marshals next year is now being made so if you want to know more about helping on 11th November 2012, please send your contact details to the Clerk at the Parish Council Office in Arden Hall.

Young people really can make a difference

The people of Castle Bromwich now have a beautiful Sensory Garden which can be enjoyed by all members of the local community on the Village Green. It has been championed by Castle Bromwich Youth Parish Council who have worked tirelessly along with numerous community groups to enable the garden to become a reality. The garden was opened in October 2010 by the parents of Rifleman Joseph Murphy, an 18 year old local man who lost his life in Afghanistan. The garden is dedicated to members of the Armed Forces who have lost their lives in armed conflicts around the world.

On Friday 15th April 2011 members of Castle Bromwich Youth Parish Council ably supported by Councillor Mrs Allen along with local Brownies, Scouts and representatives from Park Hall Academy spent many hours weeding the garden in preparation for further planting on Sunday 17th April 2011.

Ceremonial Tree Planting - 25/10/10

On Monday 25th October the youth parish council was fortunate to have a bright, sunny and dry morning when over 100 people gathered at the village green to witness the ceremonial planting and dedication of a new tree in the sensory peace garden at the village green. Youth Councillor Ruth Jennings was joined by the family of Rifleman Joseph murphy who was sadly killed in 2009 in Afghanistan. Parish council chairman, Councillor Pauline Allen welcomed invited guests, local residents and representative of local organisations to the event. Youth councillor Ruth Jennings was supported on the day by the Vice-Chairman, Youth Cllr Miss Natasha Browne and several other youth councillors and parish councillors.

Youth Cllr Jennings said "A tree symbolises so much- it gives new hope, brings new life, and offers a brand new start. A tree promises to blossom in the spring, and be there from generation to generation- it is a constant in an ever changing society. The hope of the Youth Parish Council is that this sensory garden will be the focal point of this village green for years to come, and will develop and grow with the community who it is ultimately designed for. The dove tree is dedicated to peace for both this country and overseas. This garden is an example of the positive actions the youth can promote within Castle bromwich. it is for everyone to use and enjoy, and to remind people of the sacrifices made in the pursuit of peace."

Prayers were led by Rev. Gavin Douglas, rector of St. Mary & St. Margaret church and Rev. Stuart Carter, vicar of St. Clement of Alexandria. Thanks were also expressed on behalf of every member of the Youth Parish Council to everyone who has given their support, time and effort to help create the garden. Special thanks were given To Carl Ferris (from the hall's garden centre in Castle Bromwich) "as the man who had deciphered the planting schemes, drawn up by those who cannot tell the difference between one green plant and the next". Also to the Community PayBack Team, who completed the groundwork. The Youth Council also worked in partnership with local community groups, residents, local schools and local business to make this garden a reality and they were thanked for providing financial and practical support. The garden will evolve as plans continue. After guests had finished looking at the tree and the garden, youth/parish councillors hosted a reception at Arden Hall.

News from 5th Castle Bromwich Brownies

On a damp and grey Sunday afternoon in September, 5th Castle Bromwich Brownies met in the Garden of Memory at the rear of Arden Hall to tidy the garden they look after ready for the winter months. Under the supervision of Cllr. Pauline Allen, spring bulbs were planted, plants separated and winter bedding plants were put in. On Monday 11 October the Brownies helped to plant another rose to add to the two already there which is called "Peace". We are looking forward to a magnificent display in the months to come.On Sunday 10 October, the Brownies took part in the Harvest Festival Service at St Clements Church and were able to help welcome The Revd. Stuart Carter who was taking his first service as Vicar. We presented our Flag and our theme this year was the "seed". After the service all the Brownies walked to KFC to enjoy a thoroughly deserved reward. The Brownies will be attending and parading at the annual Remembrance Service on Sunday 14 November which is held at the war memorial in the village and organised by Castle Bromwich Parish Council.Plans for Christmas enjoyment (crafts to make and a party to enjoy) are well in hand, our next outing is already in the diary and is to the pantomime at Arden Hall in January.

Remember we meet every Monday during term time at the Pavilion, Arden Hall, Castle Bromwich from 6 - 7.30 pm. Interested? Then just come in and see us you will be very welcome.

At 10am The Youth Parish Councillors, Park Hall students, councillors and volunteers all arrived at the village green, with our spades, ready to plant our garden. The Youth Council have been planning this garden for over a year and were extremely happy to see that all the plants were ready for planting - we had to wait for the right season so beds have been bare in the summer since the paths were laid and the donated bench was put in by the Community Payback team.

We started by raking over the beds to get rid of any weeds. While this was being completed by the numerous helpers, others placed the box hedging around the edge, ready for its planting position. While everyone was hard at work, we awaited the arrival of our bigger plants. These arrived at 11am. When the box hedging had been planted to form a border in all three beds we then placed: lavender, cordyline, broom and phormium in the correct place. After these had been planted we also put in many bulbs: red riding hood tulips, bluebells, scilli and the narcissi curlew (daffodils) into our beds. When the weeds were brushed up and the paths cleaned of excess soil we had finally finished planting for the day. The garden was beginning to take shape, ready for the planting of the peace tree on Monday 25th October 2010.

Thank you to all who came along to help with this project, which has been funded by the Parish Council with help from Birmingham Airport Community Trust Fund, Solihull MBC and others. In total over 25 people came to help us, including:

Youth Councillors: Amy Baynton, Jessica Browne, Natasha Browne, Tom Clayton, Grace Healy, Ruth Jennings, Lauren Phillips, and Rachael Wolliston were joined by Parish Councillors Pauline Allen, and Andrew Terry. We have been greatly helped in planning this garden by Carl Ferris from Halls Garden Centre. We would like to thank Borough Councillor Ted Richards, local residents and people from local groups of the scouts, brownies, beavers, lions, and also students and teachers from Park Hall Academy for giving their time on this Sunday.